Relentlessly caring for the sleeping garden in December
To protect fruit trees and shrubs in the garden from low temperatures, you can use gifts from the sky. One of them is white and fluffy snow. If the first month of winter is marked by heavy snowfalls, it is important to try to make a warm blanket out of it for plants. To do this, it is necessary to lay the fallen snow, while it is light and fluffy, around the root area of trees and bushes. So that it does not fly apart, it should be well trampled.
Young seedlings, which are not yet 5 years old, especially need a snow cover.
- manure;
- clay;
- carbolic acid.
Manure and clay are taken in equal proportions and 1 spoon of carbolic acid is added there. Such a mixture is carefully applied to the trunk of a fruit tree and serves as a reliable protection against long-eared neighbors.
Another protection method is to use thick paper treated with nitrafen. Some people wrap the trunks with roofing material or cover them with coniferous spruce branches. You can even put up a mesh fence. A blanket of snow can be used to protect strawberry or wild strawberry plantations, as well as ornamental bushes from frost.
If there is a lot of snow in December, it is important to visit the garden to shake it off the trees. The crown of young seedlings may not withstand and break. We do this carefully, starting from the lower branches, gradually moving upward.
If winter came without snow
Often December comes unnoticed and without snowfall. In this case, it is wise to prepare for possible precipitation during this period. For this, transverse grooves are dug to keep snow or melt water in the future. They also make an artificial fence from tall annual plants or cut branches.
When the gardener is ready for the snow surprises, it's time to inspect the dormant fruit trees. You should pay attention to whether they have various cocoons left by insects, for example, spiders.
Dried fruits or leaves sometimes remain on the trees. They should be removed as numerous garden pests can hibernate there. To provide young seedlings with a comfortable winter, it is advisable to cover their near-stem circles with mulch or feed them with fertilizers.
The mulch layer must be at least 10 cm. Otherwise, the tree may be damaged.
In the first month of winter, it would be nice to hang feeders for feathered friends in the garden and feed them regularly. In a few months the birds will get used to the territory, and in the spring they will thank them by destroying the pests.
If there are buried young seedlings in the garden, they should be systematically examined. If necessary, cover with an additional layer of primer. Some garden plants require watering in December, it is important not to forget about them, thinking that they are in hibernation.
Trees that have had chlorosis during this period can be disinfected with zinc sulfate. The solution is prepared as follows: dilute 100 g of the drug in 10 liters of water. In addition, at the beginning of winter, gardeners try to perform the following work:
- clean and tidy up tools;
- renovate greenhouses or greenhouses;
- prepare containers for seedlings;
- dig holes for new seedlings;
- trim fruit bushes.
It will not be superfluous to process stone fruit trees with copper sulphate mixed with lime before the start of stable frosts. This procedure will protect delicate kidneys from freezing.
Fruit bushes, such as raspberries, can be thoroughly mulched in December. And spray the gooseberries with a potassium solution for feeding. To protect the currants from damage, it is recommended to collect its branches in a bunch.
Berry crops - strawberries or strawberries, preferably covered with a layer of fallen leaves. In case of severe frosts, prepare an additional "cover" so that you can use it immediately.
When the weather is pretty warm in December, some gardeners remove old or diseased fruit trees from the site. This frees up space for young seedlings, which will be planted in spring.
It is important to inspect your storehouses of vegetables and fruits at the beginning of winter. If necessary, iterate over, removing the damaged copies. When planning to get a harvest in the new season, do not forget about the correct storage of the seed. The best option is a dry, cool room.
As you can see, there is still a lot of work for a real gardener in December. Therefore, while the garden is resting, wise people work. And in the new season they will receive a reward - delicious fruits.
Ladybugs hibernate in the leaves. Removing leaves means opening the road to aphids in spring. Secondly, what a joke is this: to remove the leaves, but then cover them with mulch. Are the leaves not mulch? An awl for soap? Workaholic traditions? Here only the ladybugs went to bed, and their time! and into the fire. And horseradish knows some foreign mulch with whom - under a tree. The only thing is, if there are a lot of leaves, you should rake a little of them from the trunk. Better yet, plant spicy herbs under trees - and live mulch and ladybugs approve.